Tuesday, August 30, 2016

SmartPurger is a batch and script utility for processing multiple AutoCAD drawings with full control. Execute LSP or SCR files on multiple drawings. SmartPurger handles crashes so the AutoCAD batch processing continues to the end and leaves bad drawings to be corrected manually. Many purge and cleanup settings available.

SmartPurger can make use of AutoCAD Core Console that was introduced in AutoCAD 2013 making the scripting process faster then ever as the Core Console takes less than a second to open per drawing.

-With this version it’s possible to only delete certain “garbage” files without having to also run AutoCAD to purge and process custom scripts. See the “Only delete files, don’t process any DWG files” checkbox on Delete tab in Settings. -Quick access to deleted files log file through new button on Delete tab. -Minor bug fixes related to usage with AutoCAD 2017

I received below screenshots and statement from Clinton Hill at Innophos. This functionality was added based on his wishes.

“You provided an excellent product in “SmartPurger”. This application suits us perfectly.”

These are the steps to take to only delete specified files with extensions like .BAK, .BK?, .SV$, .$$$, .AC$, .DMP, .ERR, .XLG, .DWL, .DWK or PLOT.LOG.

First click on Add Folders Only and select one or many folders. Sub folders will also be processed.

Next click on Settings and on the Delete tab check the “Only delete files, don’t process any DWG files” checkbox as well as what type of files you want to delete.

Now go back and click on the Run button.

When ready go back to Settings and click on Open log file to see what files were deleted.

Download the updated version or a free trial here. The upgrade is free if you already have purchased a license.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

JTB Spot Elevation is an app to insert surveying Spot Elevation blocks and manage them on an Edit Properties spreadsheet.

Run SPINSERT command to insert Spot Elevation block. You can enter elevation value at command prompt or via a dialog window.

If your drawing have these spot elevation already drawn by lines and texts, you can run SPCONVERT command to convert these lines and texts to standard Spot Elevation blocks.

Run SPEDPROPS command to open a design spreadsheet window for editing many Spot Elevations all at once. On this spreadsheet, you can renumber Spot Elevations in increasing order, adjust their elevations by a specified distance, change their colors, scales, unit settings, and many more. This is a powerful command to manage Spot Elevation properties.

The free Trial version usage is limited to drawing file size of less than 700 objects only.

JTB Spot Elevation is available as an AutoCAD app on the Plug-ins or Add-ins tab.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Have you got this error in AutoCAD running some command or app that is AutoLISP based?

First thing to ensure is that Visual LISP is loaded so run (vl-load-com).

Below shows a result that is expected and all is working. Note that the drawing needs to have at least one object in it. Command: (vl-load-com) Command: (vlax-ename->vla-object(entlast)) #<VLA-OBJECT IAcadLine 0000005ce02af728>

If you get below result then something is broken in AutoCAD. Command: (vlax-ename->vla-object(entlast)) ; error: no function definition: VLAX-ENAME->VLA-OBJECT

I have not got this problem myself but a repair or reinstallation of AutoCAD has helped a couple of customers, one with AutoCAD 2016 and another with AutoCAD 2017. Suspected cause of this could be having run some registry cleaner or anti-virus that deleted vital registry settings that AutoCAD needs. One had run Malwarebytes the day earlier.

There might be an easier remedy but until this is found you know what to do to solve this problem. If you haven’t install any recent service pack or hotfix (that comes with an installer) this might also be a solution.